Beautiful Imperfections

As I was mopping my floors today I glanced up at my kitchen windowsill. The paint is peeling and it could use a good scrubbing. At that point, I did what the majority of women do when assessing their house; wonder what other people must think of the sorry looking windowsill. But just as quickly I smiled to myself because I love that window. I love that the paint is cracked and peeling. We live in an old farmhouse that is easily 100 years old. There are things all over the house that attest to it's age. But you know what? That is my favorite thing about it! Can you imagine the things this house has seen? Back in the day, there were probably cows, and pigs and chickens. The barn was probably stacked to the beams with hay and straw. Kids were born and raised, generation after generation by strong women who knew how to run a house without the luxuries of dishwashers and electric stoves. The worn windowsills are just one example of how beautiful imperfections can really be.

I thought about my own imperfections. I am a wreck. I may not have peeling paint, but I do have a lot of blemishes. I use to set up my own rules and laws for myself to make sure I was towing the line. I knew we were called to be like Christ and Christ was perfect so I wanted to make sure I was perfect too. The problem was that perfection is impossible for us humans. I would snap at my husband or be too impatient with my kids and spend the rest of the day in a self-induced prison of guilt. It was a vicious cycle; always trying but never getting there.

It wasn't until someone told me that God loves me just the way I am, flaws and all, that I began to understand just how much He cares for me. I used to think I was only good enough if I was a perfect mom or wife. I thought I had to be the perfect daughter, the perfect friend. When I messed up I thought God was mad at me and turned his face from me. I have slowly learned (why does everything have to be a process?) that I am beautiful to him all the time without exception. The days I get moody and snap at my husband? Beautiful. The days when I get frustrated at my kids because they almost missed the bus? Beautiful. The days I don't feel like doing the laundry? Beautiful! 

Now don't get me wrong, He doesn't want me going around treating my friends and family poorly. Not at all! But I have discovered that when I give myself the freedom to mess up and be ok, I give others that same freedom. We are all a bunch of imperfect people who deserve the freedom to mess up, learn from our mistakes and move on with life.

I have to tell you; I am loved, and I am beautifully imperfect!



Book Corner

I love to read. As a mom of 4 kids, reading allows me to rest and recoup (even if it is only 15 minutes a day).  I am a fiction girl through and through but I will pick up a good "how to" every once in awhile. Book Corner is my way of sharing my love of reading with you. I will review a book and let you know what I think just in case you are looking for a good book to read. I would love to hear your comments and reviews also, so please take advantage of the comment section below the post and tell me (and blog world) what you think!


The first book I've chosen to review is a children's book called Gabby, God's Little Angel written by Sheila Walsh and illustrated by Marina Fedotova.

This was a very sweet book that has several pieces of biblical truth throughout the whole book. It is centered on Psalm 91:11 "He has put his angles in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go."

Gabby, an angel in training has been sent to watch over Sophie; an adventurous girl who needs a lot of protection. Gabby quickly finds out just how hard it is to be a guardian angel when Sophie goes horseback riding. After a close call, Sophie is thankful that God loves her so much that he sent an angel to watch over her.

This book is very well written. I love how Sheila Walsh (author) reveals Gabby's fun-loving personality through the written word. She talks just like my daughter does when she is excited. Gabby is sweet and innocent and a joy to read about. I think my favorite part of the book is it's illustrations. The details are amazing! Gabby truly is a doll in her gold dress and rosy red cheeks. My daughter and I loved flipping through the pages taking in the beautiful drawings.

I would definitely recommend this book for little ones. It would be a wonderful addition to any home library.

Enjoy!

Please note that I was given this book for free in order to review it.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is a very special day for me and my husband. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary! Every anniversary is special but this one means so much to me. Not only are we celebrating double digits, the fact that we have stuck it out for this long (through many trials and hardships), but this last weekend my wonderful husband surprised me with a vow renewal ceremony!

He planned for 2months, contacted everyone special to us (including people who we have lost touch with or haven't seen in a long time) and invited our whole church without me knowing. I admit, I became a little suspicious about a week ago but never did I realize it was going to be this big, this intricately planned, this wonderful. He worked with the staff at our church and planned a "End of Summer" event as a cover up. Then he planned a Women's Ministry Meeting to get me away so he could get everything done (and so I would dress up).

So after the meeting we went to the church for the End of Summer event. Except no one was outside. Someone said they were going to start out in the sanctuary. So after going to the restroom (I drank lots of water at the meeting :) we walked into the sanctuary. As soon as I walked in, I was given a beautiful bouquet of flowers by my mentor and friend and was lead to my dad who was waiting for me in the back of the center aisle. Everyone was looking at me! As I was walked to the front of the church I saw the bridal party- some stood up with us the first time like our wonderful friends who drove 3 1/2 hours to be there, 1 was a great friend who didn't come into my life until a couple years after our wedding, and 4 were my beautiful children. I cannot tell you how special that was to me. And then I saw my husband to be...er...husband to be again;) And my heart melted. I couldn't believe he did all this for me! I will never cease to be amazed at this man's heart and his desire to express his love to me and make me happy.

The ceremony was wonderful. Our two pastors (and great friends) officiated. We took off our rings and recommitted our vows to each other. I even had to giggle at the "for richer or poor" part. We have been through the ringer financially but even as I type this, tears are streaming down my cheeks because I am the richest girl in the world. I would choose to do it all over again because I know that we are who we are and have the marriage we have because of all those hardships. We have grown up together (literally and figuratively) and God has blessed us so much along the way.

Back to the ceremony, like I said, this thing was intricately planned...from the picture slide show going in the background to one of my closest friends playing our song on piano as I walked down the aisle (which I have to admit I didn't even hear because I was a little in shock). My beautiful and extremely talented sister sang the very song she sang at our wedding, and yes, I cried both times around. He even had the guest sign our sign-in book from our first wedding!

Afterwards we made our way outside and had dinner (which my wonderful parents catered) and had fun talking and mingling and celebrating. It went so fast and I was exhausted at the end of the night, but wow, what a night! I will never forget it as long as I live. I have to honestly say, this time around was so much better. The first time I was 19, had a baby, and had no idea how to be married. I was selfish, and thought that a marriage was suppose to be self-serving. Needless to say, we had a rough first couple of years! This time around I could confidently stand up and express my love for him and my commitment to him. I want to do everything I can to make him happy. I can't begin to describe how much we've grown in ten years. I keep thinking that if it can be this good now, I can't wait until the 20th!

Brad, thank you so much for surprising me with a 2nd wedding. I loved every second of it. I am so glad you chose me 13 years ago at that football game and stuck by me through thick and thin. Every night just before I let sleep find me, I thank God for giving me the best guy in the world. I am truly blessed to be your wife. I know that God shows His unfailing love for me through you. Every smile, every hug, every whispered "I love you" before we fall asleep is a reminder of God's goodness in my life. May we never stop growing, never stop trying, and most of all never stop loving.

Always and Forever,

Sara

Here's to 10 years babe! I love you Truly Madly Deeply! Speeking of our song...click here